Fort Oranje, Dutch colonial fort in Kralendijk, Bonaire.
Fort Oranje stands on Kralendijk's waterfront as a stone fortification with four cannons facing the Caribbean Sea. The structure features thick defensive walls and a tower approximately 10 meters (32 feet) tall that serves as a beacon above the harbor.
Dutch colonists built the fort in 1639 to defend Kralendijk harbor against British attackers, pirates, and raiders threatening the settlement. This defensive installation became essential to maintaining Dutch control of the island during the colonial period.
The fort's name honors the Dutch royal House of Orange, reflecting Bonaire's deep ties to the Netherlands. This naming choice appears throughout the island and connects the structure to a centuries-old monarchy.
The fort buildings now house Bonaire's main courthouse, with the tower serving administrative purposes. Visitors can walk around the grounds and view the cannons and elevated position above the water, making it easy to explore the exterior at your own pace.
The fort's four cannons came from a British warship that ran aground on Bonaire's southern coast in the early 1800s. These guns were later placed at the fort as a reminder of naval conflicts in the Caribbean.
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